The sculptor and painter Pedro Friedeberg worked in a richly detailed, Surrealist and eccentric artistic style that blended influences from neoclassical art, M.C. Escher and native Mesoamerican symbolism. He was best known for his Hand chair — a functional sculpture that is an icon of design-as-art.
Friedeberg was born in Florence to German parents and moved with his mother to Mexico at the outset of World War II. As a university student in Mexico City in the 1950s, he initially studied architecture, but his designs for fantastical buildings ran afoul of his rationalist, Bauhaus-oriented teachers.
By chance, Friedeberg’s drawings came to the attention of Mathias Goeritz, the German-born Dadaist painter and sculptor. He encouraged Friedeberg and made him a protégé. Friedeberg credits his mentor for instilling in him a fanatical attention to detail in his work. Friedeberg produced his first Hand chair in 1961, and has since created numerous iterations. He has also made several variants using other human limbs in different functional forms such as tables and clocks.
While Friedeberg’s sculptures have a gentle character that is sometimes described as spiritual, his paintings and prints are something entirely different. He employs deep perspective to create hypnotic, painstakingly rendered canvases that suggest rooms and cityscapes.
Whatever the medium, Friedeberg’s work is arresting and instantly recognizable. The Hand chair, though familiar, remains a captivating piece — both furniture and artwork — that stands apart in any interior. Examples are often priced between $20,000 and $30,000, depending on formal variations (such as a foot-shaped pedestal), material and condition. Smaller functional items such as tabletop clocks bring about $9,000. His paintings and drawings require space; they are meant to be contemplated. Prices on original examples start at about $30,000; prints generally sell in the region of $900.
As you will see on 1stDibs, the art and design of Pedro Friedeberg is singular and memorable.
Pair of Surreal Miniature Wooden Hand and Foot Chair Sculptures
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Houston, TX
Dimensions listed are for each individual hand and the price is for the pair. Artist Biography: Artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg is known for his surrealist paintings, prints, a...
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg, "Hand Foot", unique sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Pedro Friedeberg Unique Hand Foot Sculpture Gilt finished wood Signed PEDRO FRIEDEBERG on bottom of the foot 12 inches tall, 6 inches wide (base of hand), 3 inches wide (base of foot...
Wood
Mano Sol Giltwood Sculpture, Surrealist, Late 20th Century, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Carved giltwood sculpture. Signed Pedro Friedberg on the underside of the base. Size: 10 x 3.25 x 1.5 inches. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent co...
Gold Leaf
Mano Luna Giltwood Sculpture, Surrealist, Late 20th Century, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Carved giltwood sculpture. Signed Pedro Friedberg on the underside of the base. Size: 10 x 3.25 x 1.5 inches. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent co...
Gold Leaf
Caja de Cebra, Handmade Bronze Zebra Box Sculpture, Signed Edition of 8
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Handmade bronze zebra box sculpture. Incised 'Pedro Friedberg' on the underside. Incised 6/8 on the underside. Size: 8.7 x 9 x 2.5 inches. Certificate of Authenticity is included...
Bronze
Windswept Man Face Marble Sculpture
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Windswept Face Of A Man Marble Sculpture Signed, on wooden base. Leon Saulter (1908 - 1986) was active/lived in California born in Poland. Moved to US in 1921. Leon Saulter is known for sculptures, paintings also writer. Born in Poland on March 31, 1908. By the 1930s, Saulter was active on the Federal Art Project while a resident of Los Angeles. Exhibitions: Painters & Sculptors of LA, 1936-40; Artists Union (LA), 1939; Stendahl Gallery (LA), 1941; LACMA, 1940, 1943, 1946 Santa Barbara Museum; Bonita Union High School (Spirit of Youth Learning Industry); David Starr Jordan School, Long Beach (Head). Museums: University of Wyoming Art...
Marble
$4,900
H 21 in W 13 in
1961 Coty Award Plaque Kenneth Hairdresser Jacqueline Onassis Bronze Fashion
Located in New York, NY
1961 Coty Award Plaque Kenneth Hairdresser Jacqueline Onassis Bronze Fashion Bronze on wood. The wood plaque measures 12 3/4" by 20 3/4 inches. The bronze plaque itself is 13 3/4 x 8 3/4 inches and the the bronze inscription, which reads "COTY, American Fashion Critics Special Award 1961 to KENNETH of LILY DACHE...
Bronze
$1,700Sale Price|50% Off
H 18.5 in W 17 in D 18 in
CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd ¨KNOCK OUT: from the GREATEST SERIES¨ 2026 2 pieces !!
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
THE GREATEST!!!!!! ALTERATION ART . . . is a collaboration process between CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd, fine artist and art dealer with over 40 years experience, and various Mexican Hui...
Glass, Mixed Media
$928Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.11 in W 8.47 in D 8.47 in
Architectural Hanging Cement Head Sculpture with Wood Framework Project 23
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This architectural hanging cement head sculpture is defined by a distinctive lateral chestnut wood framework that surrounds the form like an external armat...
Concrete
$8,500
H 18 in W 7 in D 7 in
Large Original Surrealist Bronze Marble Sculpture Alma Del Quijote Salvador Dali
By Salvador Dalí
Located in Surfside, FL
Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989) Alma del Quijote Bronze with marble base Edition: AB 52/100 Signed by Dalí This Surrealist sculpture depicts a dynamic and fragmented Don Quixote...
Marble, Bronze
$5,199Sale Price|20% Off
H 55.12 in W 13 in D 9.45 in
Large Figurative Sculpture of Fragmented Female Body in Carved Polychrome Wood
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Large figurative wood sculpture depicting a fragmented female body constructed from individually carved sections of chestnut, sapele, pine and oak. Arquitectura (Architecture) is a m...
Wood
$5,199Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 43.71 in D 14.18 in
Female Figure Architectural Sculpture in Chestnut Wood House Tower Form
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Architectural female figure sculpture in chestnut wood combining body, house and tower architecture in a surreal anthropotectural form. Ática is a unique sculptural work by Spanish ...
Wood
$1,250
H 6 in W 11.5 in D 1 in
Vintage Jerusalem Sculpture Wall Plaque 1930's Palestine Israeli Bezalel School
Located in Surfside, FL
Repousse sculptural plaque from the original Bezalel Art School in Jerusalem. This is marked "Made in Palestine" as it is from the British Mandate period. It is in an Orientalist des...
Metal
$4,200
H 12.75 in W 12.25 in D 9 in
"He Played Like He Was Keith Richards" Dogman with Guitar Bronze Sculpture
By Gillie and Marc Schattner
Located in New York, NY
A whimsical yet very strong piece depicting the Dog Man from Gillie and Marc's iconic figures of the Dog/Bunny Human Hybrid, which has picked up much esteem across the globe. Here we...
Bronze
$742Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.8 in W 3.55 in D 2.17 in
Female Cyclist with Paper Airplane, Surrealist Miniature Diorama Wall Sculpture
By Vera Vizzi
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This miniature diorama wall sculpture depicts a female cyclist pulling an oversized paper airplane across a fragment of natural wood beneath a blue and red sky. Created by Italian a...
Wire
$928Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.85 in W 9.45 in D 3.94 in
Architectural Wall-Mounted Cement Head Sculpture with Wood Framework Project 13
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This architectural wall-mounted cement head sculpture features a distinctive horizontal chestnut wood framework that extends across the sides of the face, creating a striking interpl...
Concrete
$464
H 15.75 in W 7.88 in D 4.34 in
Contemporary Ceramic Figurative Sculpture The Magician Gold Accented Hand Built
By Óscar Aldonza Torres
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Contemporary ceramic figurative sculpture representing an archetypal magician figure with gold accents and theatrical presence. Titled The Magician, this hand built ceramic sculptur...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 11.5 in W 7 in D 5.5 in
Reloj Astrologico (rare bronze sculpture with working clock)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture with a working clock. Incised Pedro Friedberg on the base. Incised PA (artist proof) on the base. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excelle...
Bronze
Reloj Astrologico (rare signed bronze sculpture)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture. Incised Pedro Friedberg on the base. Incised PA (artist proof) on the base. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent condition. All re...
Bronze
Piedra Filosofal (Philosopher Stone) (8/10)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg is known for his surrealist paintings, prints, and sculptural furniture. He was the subject of a 2009 retrospective at the Museo del Palacio de B...
Gold Leaf
Handchair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
This piece is one of the most emblematic and well none pieces of the artist. The design of this piece is 1962, it was inicially a joke with another artist and was either recognise by...
Ceramic, Linen, Oil
Sold
H 5.75 in W 10 in D 5.75 in
BANCA ZIGURATICA NINIVESCA DE 3 PLAZAS (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Wood sculpture with gold color trim. Hand signed and numbered on the underside by the artist. From the edition of 4. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent condition. All reasonable offers will be considered. About the Artist: Pedro Friedeberg is a contemporary Mexican artist...
Wood
FRUTERO TRIPIE (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand painted wood sculpture. Hand signed on the underside by the artist. Edition of 2. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent condition. All reasonable ...
Wood
SILLA DE GOBERNATE CUADRO (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Wood sculpture with gold color trim. Hand signed and numbered on the underside by the artist. PA (artist proof) edition. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in e...
Wood
SILLA DE REGLA TRIANGULO (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Wood sculpture with gold color trim. Hand signed and numbered on the underside by the artist. PA (artist proof) edition. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent condition. All reasonable offers will be considered. About the Artist: Pedro Friedeberg is a contemporary Mexican artist...
Wood
SILLA DE PIE Y MANO (LARGE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Carved wood sculpture. Engraved artist signature on the underside. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Please do not hesitate to ask us any further questions. All reasonable ...
Wood
SILLA POLICROMADA (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture. Engraved artist signature and edition on the underside. From the edition of 8. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Please do not hesitate to ask us any fu...
Bronze
Hands (surrealist Mexican artist sculpture)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
PEDRO FRIEDEBERG (b. 1937): HANDS Three wood with gold paint, two signed 'Pedro Freideberg' on the bottom, one signed with initials 'PF' on a label on the bottom. Moon 8 1/2 x 2 x 1 in., Middle Finger 7 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 in. and 5 1/2 x 2 x 1 in. Biography: Friedeberg was born in Florence, Italy, on January 11, 1936, the son of German-Jewish parents, Friedeberg arrived in Mexico at the age of three. Having shown an early inclination for drawing and reading, he studied architecture at the Universidad Iberoamericana, where he was profoundly influenced by the teaching of Mathias Goeritz, a German-Mexican artist...
Wood